The Game Plan

As I've studied through Nehemiah and Ezra, I am realizing more and more about the truth that "God is faithful to bring about His Plan" through ways that are way too complicated for any one human person to coordinate.

God is the greatest administrator, director, conductor, chess player, story writer and general. I am continually blown away by the way that God coordinates His perfect plan.

When I first read Ezra and Nehemiah, it at first seemed like a great story of God's faithfulness to bring about a successful Temple reconstruction with the exiled Jews. Then, as I studied more and more, I realized that how other OT books are spin-offs of these historical books (Ezekiel, Zephaniah, Haggai, Daniel, Esther). It forced me to read and study these other books, and helps me to appreciate how complicated world history truly is and how only God can coordinate all the events to bring about a sustained Israel nation. How else would Jesus be able to come from the lien of David and fulfill the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12)? Amazing! Amazing Grace! Just perfect! God you are the master story-teller.

One of my favorite movie genres is "Dramatic-Thriller" where the conclusion brings about a witty and clevey ending. For example, M. Night Shyamalan's movies have that clever twist at the end (The Village, The Sixth Sense, Signs). I also enjoy "The Game" and "The Spanish Prisoner". Those movies bring about clever endings that ties all the loose ends together and just makes anyone cry, "ingenious."

But when you read the stories of God's "Dramatic-Thrillers", they are truly ingenious because they're real. God is a genius. That's an obvious reality, but it's more so as I read the Hebrew Scriptures (OT).

This past week, I shared with the Vine family about "The Game Plan: How we are to take it to the Next Level?"

1. Spiritual Leadership: God wants some of you to step up and lead. (Ezra 1:8,11; 2:2; Nehemiah 2:17-18) - We need more spiritual leaders to step up.

2. The Playbook: God wants us to follow His playbook with vigilance and conviction.
(Ezra 3:2-3) - We need to follow God's Word because He knows the best directions to His Kingdom goals.

3. Sacrifice: God wants you to practice sacrificial stewardship to fund Kingdom causes.
(Ezra 3:4-7) - We need to grow in our stewardship responsibilities.

4. Team Effort: God wants you to be faithful role players on God’s team. (Ezra 3:8-9; Ezra 7:27-28; Ezra 3:1) - We need everyone to get in the game.

5. Celebrate & Worship: God wants us to celebrate God’s work in us and through us.
(Ezra 3:11-12; Nehemiah 6:15-16) - Let's enjoy life and celebrate together.

I realize that God's primary Game Plan for His Kingdom really involves "people." God uses people to accomplish His plans.

There are five areas